Stone Retires After 31 Years of Teaching
Do you remember your first day of kindergarten? Walking into the ginormous colorful classroom and hearing the loud hum of children’s voices. Then meeting your teacher and looking up to her for the whole year as if she was a superhero. As the year progresses and you learn about shapes and colors, you look forward to graduation.
This year, the kindergarten class experienced a different ending. Their teacher won’t be able to physically hand them a diploma as they walk along the stage in front of their family members and classmates. She won’t be able to say goodbye to them in person. And now, she won’t be able to host another kindergarten graduation ceremony because of her retirement.
Mrs. Shelley Stone has been working with children at Harvard since August 1989. For the past 31 years, she has taught elementary students and many of those years were spent in the kindergarten classroom. The 2019-2020 school year will be her last year of teaching. While she may not be teaching at a school, she will still continue to teach her children and grandchildren valuable lessons in the years ahead.
Stone said, “I went to college wanting to become a Home Economics teacher. I wasn’t very good at sewing, so I knew that being a Home Economics teacher wasn’t something I could do. I knew that I wanted to work with children, so I thought I would give elementary education a try. I am so glad that I did!”
Stone attended high school at Harvard and graduated in 1983. During high school and college, she worked at the Harvard Rest Haven. She went to the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) and graduated in 1987. After graduating from college, she substituted for one year before getting her first job at Harvard.
“I had so many amazing role models as teachers while going to school at Harvard and that is what drew me to become a teacher. What was even more amazing was getting to go back to Harvard and teach with many of them,” said Stone.
Stone coached volleyball for a while and was the drill team sponsor. She has worked with countless staff members and students during her years of teaching. Before she taught kindergarten, she was the third grade teacher for a short time.
The class of 2032 will be the last class that she will have taught at Harvard. Stone has been keeping in touch with her class via Zoom meetings. She has read books to them, led activities, and just chatted with her current class.
When asked her reason for retirement, she commented, “Life is too short, especially after what has happened this year. I am ready to spend
more time with my family. My mom and dad are close by and I want to spend
more time with them and, of course, my children and grandchildren.”
Stone plans to travel with her husband, Doug, and also plans to visit her family. To keep busy, she also plans to substitute teach.
Stone said, “[I look forward to] completing some projects on our house, traveling and spending time with family, and going to the lake more often.”
Ms. Maci Hunke has been hired to teach kindergarten next year.
“I am so grateful to everyone that has helped me along this wonderful journey that I have taken. I have had the privilege to work with wonderful administration,
faculty, and students throughout my 31 years at Harvard. I am also thankful for the
community of Harvard for everything they have done for me. Last, I want to thank
my amazing family for giving me the support that I have needed while teaching. I
couldn’t have done it without any of you!” said Stone.